Support frame for solar energy device

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a support frame for solar energy device, which includes at least two support bodies, and at least two lintels, each of which being provided between the two support bodies. Each of the support bodies and lintels is made of reinforced concrete. Each of the support bodies includes two supporting columns, and a transverse beam fixedly provided between two top ends of the two supporting columns respectively. Two ends of each of the lintels are fixedly provided on a transverse beam of one of the support bodies and a transverse beam of an adjacent support body, respectively. Each of the support bodies further includes a strengthened beam fixedly provided between the two supporting columns. The present invention has a lower cost, corrosion protection, long service life, higher structural strength, good normability, is capable of site pouring and adapted for any amount of solar energy devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a support frame, and more particularly to a support frame for solar energy device.

2. Description of Related Arts

With the rapid development of social economy, the reserves of oil, coal and other non-renewable energy sources are getting fewer and fewer, and the price is getting higher and higher. Nowadays, solar energy as one of important clean energies is paid more and more attention and widely used, such as a flat-plate solar collector and a solar panel. Obviously, it is unavoidable to need the support frame while installing and utilizing the above solar energy devices.

The currently common support frame for solar energy device is mainly made of aluminium alloy and angle iron. The aluminium alloy support frame has a light weight and is convenient for being transported. However, it needs additional devices, such as cement columns, while fixed on the ground. In addition, the aluminium alloy support frame has a higher manufacture cost and insufficient structural strength. As a result, once encountering strong wind, the aluminium alloy support frame is easy to be damaged, the service life is affected accordingly. The angle iron support frame has a sufficient structural strength, but poor corrosion resistance, thus it is easy to be corroded and rusted while long-term exposed to outdoors, the sun and rain. Accordingly, the service life of the angle iron support frame is affected. In addition, the angle iron support frame is manufactured by cutting and welding and needs site welding so that the difficulty of installation is increased.

Furthermore, for supporting a plurality of solar energy devices, such as solar panels, the common solar energy support frame is either assembled by a plurality of support members, or formed wholly. The former wastes materials, increases cost and has a bad stability, the latter needs redesigning for different amounts of solar energy devices and can't be common used, thus increases cost, and has a lower re-using rate.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a support frame for solar energy device, which has a lower cost, corrosion protection, long service life, higher structural strength, good normability, is capable of site pouring and adapted for any amount of solar energy devices.

Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a support frame for solar energy device, comprising at least two support bodies, and at least two lintels, each of which being provided between the two support bodies, wherein the two lintels are adapted for supporting the solar energy device, wherein each of the support bodies and each of the lintels is made of reinforced concrete so as to reduce the manufacture cost, increase the structural strength, prevent corrosion and extend service life.

Each of the support bodies comprises two supporting columns, and a transverse beam fixedly provided between two top ends of the two supporting columns respectively, wherein two ends of each of the two lintels are fixedly provided on a transverse beam of one of the support bodies and a transverse beam of another adjacent support body, respectively, the two lintels are spacedly arranged with each other at a predetermined distance.

The two supporting columns have a different height so that the transverse beam produces a tilt angle relative to the ground. That is to say, the lintels define a supporting plane which produces a tilt angle relative to the ground, in such a manner that when the solar energy device is provided on the lintels, the solar energy device produces a tilt angle relative to the ground for receiving sufficiently solar energy.

Each of the support bodies further comprises a strengthened beam fixedly provided between the two supporting columns for strengthening a structural strength of each of the support bodies, wherein the strengthened beam is parallel to the ground, one end of the strengthened beam is fixedly provided at a top end of a lower supporting column of the two supporting columns, in such a manner that the strengthened beam, the transverse beam and a higher supporting column of the two supporting columns define a triangle so as to increase effectively the structural strength of each of the support bodies.

Each of the support bodies and two lintels has a hollow structure not only to strengthen a structural strength, but also to reduce a weight.

Therefore, the support frame for solar energy device of the present invention, made of reinforced concrete, has a lower cost, corrosion protection, long service life, higher structural strength, good normability, is capable of site pouring and adapted for any amount of solar energy devices.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support frame for solar energy device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a support body of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view while a plurality of support frames for solar energy device are assembled according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a support frame for solar energy device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in which the support frame comprises at least two support bodies 1, and at least two lintels 2, each of which being provided between the two support bodies 1 and forming a support plane to place a solar energy device, such as a solar panel, wherein each of the support bodies 1 and lintels 2 are made of reinforced concrete.

Because the elements of the support frame for solar energy device are made of reinforced concrete, the support frame is capable of site pouring and then assembling without worrying out the lack of some elements. In addition, according to specific requirements of construction site, the structure or size of the support frame for solar energy device can be adjusted appropriately to meet the requirement, so as to save the trouble of transportation and reduce the cost. For example, the number of the lintels 2 can be defined by concrete conditions, that is to say, either three or four lintels 2 can be provided between the adjacent two support bodies 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, each of the support bodies 1 comprises two supporting columns 11, and a transverse beam 12 fixedly provided between two top ends of the two supporting columns 11 respectively, wherein two ends of each of the lintels 2 are fixedly provided at a transverse beam 12 of one of the two support bodies and a transverse beam 12 of an adjacent support body respectively, the lintels 2 are spacedly arranged with each other at a predetermined distance. The two supporting columns 11 have a different height so that the transverse beam 12 produces a tilt angle relative to the ground, that is to say, the supporting plane defined by the lintels 2 produces a tilt angle relative to the ground, in such a manner that when the solar energy device is provided on the lintels 2, the solar energy device produces a tilt angle relative to the ground for receiving sufficiently solar energy. It is worth to mention that the tilt angle can be determined by latitude where the support frame for solar energy device is provided.

The elements of the support frame for solar energy device are made of reinforced concrete, the support frame has a good normability, the mixed concrete has a plasticity to manufacture the structures or elements with different sizes, so that the support frame for solar energy device can be made correspondingly according to specific size of the solar energy device and the latitude where the solar energy device is provided.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the support bodies 1 can be an integral forming, that is to say, the two supporting columns 11 and the transverse beam 12 are integrally formed so as to increase the structural strength of each of the support bodies 1. The transverse beam 12 is fixedly connected with the lintels 2 by expansion screws.

A bottom end of each of the supporting columns 11 can be fixed on the ground by pouring or expansion screws. Furthermore, a hole matching with a size of each of the supporting columns 11 can be poured in advance on the ground, such that each of the supporting columns 11 is capable of inserting directly into the hole for being fastened on the ground. Accordingly, the installation procedure is simplified and the installation efficiency is increased.

Each of the two support bodies 1 further comprises a strengthened beam 13 fixedly provided between the two supporting columns 11 for increasing the structural strength of each of the two support bodies 1. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the strengthened beam 13 is parallel to the ground, and one end of the strengthened beam 13 is fixedly connected with a top end of a lower supporting column of the two supporting columns 11, such that the strengthened beam 13, the transverse beam 12 and a higher supporting column of the two supporting columns 11 define a triangle so as to increase effectively the structural strength of each of the support bodies 1.

Each of the support bodies 1 and lintels 2 has a hollow structure, so as to not only increase the structural strength, but also reduce the weight of the support frame for solar energy device, thus it is convenient for transportation.

Referring to FIG. 4, when a plurality of solar energy devices are placed, namely, scale utilized, the number of the support bodies 1 is added and the lintels 2 are provided between the two adjacent support bodies 1. Here, the solar energy device is sheet like in general, such as the solar panel. As a result, in windy weather, the force applied to the solar energy device is very strong, that is to say, the support frame for solar energy device bears very great pressure or tension at this time. The material of existing support frames can't bear great pressure or tension, such as angle iron or aluminium alloy, however, the reinforced concrete has a stronger structural strength, with a compressive strength more than 35 MPa, a tensile strength more than 200 Mpa, wherein reinforcing bar bears the tension, the concrete bears the stress. Accordingly, in the light of actual situation, the user is capable of increasing or reducing the support bodies 1 and lintels 2 based on a primary support frame for solar energy device for increasing or reducing solar energy devices, so as to facilitate the user and reduce the cost.

It is worth to mention that the support frame for solar energy device can be made of not only ordinary portland cement, but slag cement, pozzolana cement, and fly ash cement. In order to strengthen the viscosity and elasticity of cement, some cement mortar additives can be added, such as the 107 glue (polyvinyl formal) or white latex (polyvinyl acetate emulsion). In the practical production, the special cement can be used to further strengthen the support frame for solar energy device. A raw material of the special cement mainly includes limestone, bauxite, and some return of clinker (crystal seeds).

According to the present invention, the support frame for solar energy device made of reinforced concrete is convenient for drawing materials locally. The reinforced concrete structure is made of sand, stone and other materials with a larger proportion which are easy to be drawn locally. Furthermore, slag, fly ash and other industrial waste are in favor of protecting environment, and have a lower cost which is two-thirds of that of aluminium alloy structure, and one half of that of angle iron structure.

Because the support frame for solar energy device is made of reinforced concrete, it is not easy to be corroded, and is affected less by rain and air corrosion so that it has a longer service life which is more than fifty years according to general building requirements.

In addition, the solar energy device is generally utilized at the areas with great temperature differences, and the foundation for mounting the support frame is generally made of concrete. Temperature linear expansion coefficient of the reinforcing bar and concrete is basically the same (the reinforcing bar is 1.2×10⁻⁵, the concrete is (1.0˜1.5)×10⁻⁵). As a result, when the temperature changes, the cohesion between the reinforcing bar and concrete will not be damaged owing to too much deformation difference. Accordingly, when the support frame for solar energy device made of reinforced concrete is mounted on the foundation, the user will not worry about the phenomenon of expanding with heat and contracting with cold caused by temperature differences.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

1. A support frame for solar energy device, comprising: at least two support bodies, and at least two lintels, each of which being provided between said two support bodies, wherein each of said two support bodies and two lintels is made of reinforced concrete, wherein each of said two support bodies comprises two supporting columns, and a transverse beam fixedly provided between two top ends of said two supporting columns respectively, wherein two ends of each of said two lintels are fixedly provided on a transverse beam of one of said two support bodies and a transverse beam of an adjacent support body, respectively.
 2. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said support bodies further comprises a strengthened beam fixedly provided between said two supporting columns for strengthening a structural strength of each of said support bodies.
 3. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 1, wherein said two supporting columns have a different height so that said transverse beam produces a tilt angle relative to the ground.
 4. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 2, wherein said two supporting columns have a different height so that said transverse beam produces a tilt angle relative to the ground.
 5. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 3, wherein a size of said tilt angle is determined by a latitude where the solar energy device is provided.
 6. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 4, wherein a size of said tilt angle is determined by a latitude where the solar energy device is provided.
 7. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 3, wherein said strengthened beam is parallel to the ground, and one end of said strengthened beam is fixed provided at a top end of a lower supporting column of said two supporting columns.
 8. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 4, wherein said strengthened beam is parallel to the ground, and one end of said strengthened beam is fixed provided at a top end of a lower supporting column of said two supporting columns.
 9. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 5, wherein said strengthened beam is parallel to the ground, and one end of said strengthened beam is fixed provided at a top end of a lower supporting column of said two supporting columns.
 10. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 6, wherein said strengthened beam is parallel to the ground, and one end of said strengthened beam is fixed provided at a top end of a lower supporting column of said two supporting columns.
 11. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said support bodies and two lintels has a hollow structure not only to strengthen a structural strength, but also to reduce a weight.
 12. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 2, wherein each of said support bodies and two lintels has a hollow structure not only to strengthen a structural strength, but also to reduce a weight.
 13. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 3, wherein each of said support bodies and two lintels has a hollow structure not only to strengthen a structural strength, but also to reduce a weight.
 14. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 4, wherein each of said support bodies and two lintels has a hollow structure not only to strengthen a structural strength, but also to reduce a weight.
 15. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said support bodies and two lintels has a hollow structure not only to strengthen a structural strength, but also to reduce a weight.
 16. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 6, wherein each of said support bodies and two lintels has a hollow structure not only to strengthen a structural strength, but also to reduce a weight.
 17. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 7, wherein each of said support bodies and two lintels has a hollow structure not only to strengthen a structural strength, but also to reduce a weight.
 18. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 8, wherein each of said support bodies and two lintels has a hollow structure not only to strengthen a structural strength, but also to reduce a weight.
 19. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 9, wherein each of said support bodies and two lintels has a hollow structure not only to strengthen a structural strength, but also to reduce a weight.
 20. The support frame for solar energy device, as recited in claim 1, wherein four lintels are fixedly provided between said two support bodies, and define a supporting plane for supporting the solar energy device so as to further stabilize the solar energy device. 